Happy New Year!

The farm

Happy New Year - I can’t believe we are in February already

Christmas was great we spent two beautiful weeks at the farm with my mum, sisters, brother and nephews. I must say having 15 people in the one house is fun but at the same time crazy - not something you want to do on a regular basis. My poor brother and his partner after 5 days decided it was enough chaos and went back to Sydney for some rest!

It has become a harsh reality that going home is never going to be the same – dad is never coming back and the farm is always going to feel different.

The pool

The River

On Christmas Day we were preparing lunch and it came time to put the roast pork in the oven. We were all standing around not knowing where to cut it so it would fit into the baking dish as it was huge – dad always did this job. Mum burst into tears and said “I just need your father I can’t do it on my own”. The tears just rolled down my cheeks, as I watched my mum leave the kitchen it broke my heart to see her suffer and the pain she was in.

Anyway...... Christmas day still went ahead and the pork was delicious. The kids enjoyed all their presents as we made it special for them, had all our traditions and we still managed a few laughs which was good.

The two weeks at the farm went fast with our days spent swimming at the local swimming pool or down at the river to keep cool. Family, friends, BBQ,s and lots of sleep. Some days I didn’t even get out of my pyjamas. This is what I love about being at the farm – “no pressure”. This is the only time of the year that I really get to relax.

In the kitchen preparing one of many meals

Sienna collecting her breakfast

Tamworth

One of my close girlfriends of nearly 26 years lives in Tamworth and has been asking us to visit for a very long time...... So 2017 was the year!

Lisa was my boarding school supervisor and was only a few years older than me. We became very good friends when I was in year 11 & 12. Us boarders would be in her room all the time especially on a Saturday night when she was getting ready to go out. We would consult on her outfit, loan her clothes and help with her makeup! She is one of those friends who you may only speak to every six months but you know will always love and be there for you.

We decided to visit during the Tamworth Country Music Festival as I have always wanted to go. We loved it, the festival was great, music was infectious and the buskers on the streets were amazing. People were dancing and singing on every corner.

Of course I did do a little shopping as well and found this great shop that sold amazing cowgirl boots all the way from Nashville. They came in all shapes, sizes and colours. I do love a skirt with a cowgirl boot. Agave Blue Boot Couture.

The Rodeo was probably my most favourite thing but it was very horsey and smelly – I am very allergic to horses so I did have to take an allergy table before going! Cowboys and cowgirls everywhere, music playing and the atmosphere was great. The bucking bulls and bucking broncos did freak me out a little. I was so scared for the cowboys on the top of those beasts

If not at the music festival we were at home with Lisa and her family swimming in the pool or just relaxing and chatting like good friends do so well!!